Whether you are going to use it for work or for school, choosing the right backpack is very important than settling for the most affordable or the most stylish.
If you haven’t experienced carrying stuff, carrying around books, a laptop and several gadgets inside a backpack, while taking longer walks than usual is too heavy a burden for most millenials like me.
Backpacks fall into three basic categories:
- Daypacks
- Internal frame packs
- External frame packs
Daypacks
These packs are used for single-day hikes, climbs, runs or bike rides. In general, daypacks are soft-backed or frameless. Daypacks are lightweight and intended for light loads (10 to 15 pounds). Good daypacks have hipbelts to prevent the load from thumping on your back with each stride.
Internal Frame Packs
These packs are used for bigger, heavier loads (15 pounds and up). Frames–either aluminum stays, plastic framesheets, curved Delrin rods, or combinations of those things, and when properly fit, they hug the contours of your back, thereby cinching the load in close to your spine.
External Frame Packs
External frame packs have a higher center of gravity than internal frame packs, which has two advantages: It gives excellent weight transfer to the hips and it allows you to walk with a more upright posture
Lifting your bag hundreds of times, carrying it and slipping it on and off everyday can leave a lasting impact on your body, and not in a good way. Choosing the wrong backpack—or you using one improperly may cause you headaches, back or neck pain, poor posture and fatigue. Find the perfect bag by taking into consideration the following suggestions:
Check for support.
An ideal bag must perfectly match your shoulder strength. Wide and cushioned shoulder straps help spread the bag’s weight across the shoulders and make the load easier to carry. A bag that has a waist belt might be a perfect fit for you. Use of the waist strap puts the bulk of the weight on the hips.
A backpack is far better than a messenger bag. All the weight of the bag and its contents must be evenly distributed on your body. Bags that have single straps force all the weight that you carry on one shoulder. A backpack distributes the weight evenly across the shoulders. An even distribution of the weight is safer for your back and shoulders, and is also better for your hips, knees and ankles. Female bag owners must find one that specifically suits their body frame.
Messenger bags might look better than backpacks however, there are backpacks that are waterproof and is far better than the non-waterproof types in terms of inclement weather.
Straps must be adjustable.
Straps should be adjustable for ease of use and comfort. The perfect strap should be one that could be loosened and tightened. Backpack straps are intended to keep the bag close to your back, but not too close to keep you off balanced.
Test drive the bag, like you test your shoe for comfort.
It is best to test the backpack prior to purchase. Try the backpack on, adjust the straps, put some weight in it and walk around the store for a bit. The ideal weight of the backpack and its contents should not be more than 15 percent of your total body weight. The heaviest items should be placed closest to your back and lowest in the bag.
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